LPG cylinder weight: empty, full and how much gas is left
A cylinder's size is the weight of gas it holds, not what it weighs. Here is how to find the empty weight on any cylinder, what a full one should weigh, how to check you got full weight and how to see how much gas is left.
The one formula you need
Full weight = tare weight (TW, stamped on the shoulder) + gas weight. A domestic cylinder should weigh TW + 11.8 kg; a commercial one TW + 45.4 kg. Gas left = what it weighs now − TW.
Gas weight and what it costs, by size
| Cylinder | Gas it holds | Full weight should be | Gas cost at Rs 294.08/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 5 kg | TW + 5 kg | Rs 1,470 |
| 6 kg | 6 kg | TW + 6 kg | Rs 1,764 |
| 10 kg | 10 kg | TW + 10 kg | Rs 2,941 |
| 11.8 kg (“12 kg”) | 11.8 kg | TW + 11.8 kg | Rs 3,470 |
| 15 kg | 15 kg | TW + 15 kg | Rs 4,411 |
| 45.4 kg | 45.4 kg | TW + 45.4 kg | Rs 13,351 |
How to weigh a cylinder at home
- Close the valve and disconnect the regulator
- Stand the cylinder upright on a platform or hanging scale that reads above its full weight
- Read the weight and subtract the TW stamped on the shoulder
- Never lay a cylinder on its side or roll it to move it onto a scale
Why we weigh every cylinder at your door
Short weight is a common complaint about bottled gas. Our riders carry a scale and weigh each cylinder in front of you, so you see TW + the full gas weight before you pay. It is one of the ten checks in our cylinder standard.
Weight, litres and how long it lasts
Convert weight to litres with the LPG litre to kg converter and estimate how many days a cylinder lasts with the cylinder duration calculator. All sizes compared: LPG cylinder comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How much gas is in a 12 kg LPG cylinder?
The domestic cylinder people call 12 kg holds 11.8 kg of LPG. The steel cylinder itself weighs extra, so a full one is much heavier than 11.8 kg.
How do I know the empty weight of my cylinder?
It is stamped on the cylinder's shoulder as the tare weight, marked TW. Every cylinder's tare weight can differ slightly, so use the figure on yours, not a general one.
How do I check I got a full cylinder?
Weigh it. Full weight should equal the stamped tare weight (TW) plus the gas weight, for example TW + 11.8 kg for a domestic cylinder. Our riders weigh every cylinder at your door so you can see it.
How can I tell how much gas is left?
Weigh the cylinder and subtract the tare weight. If a domestic cylinder weighs TW + 3 kg, about 3 kg of gas is left. Shaking or tapping the cylinder is not reliable.
How many litres of LPG are in a cylinder?
LPG is sold by weight, not litres. Liquid LPG weighs roughly half a kilogram per litre, so 11.8 kg is roughly 21 to 23 litres of liquid depending on the mix and temperature. Use our litre to kg converter for a closer figure.
What if my cylinder weighs less than it should?
Report it before you accept or pay. With us, a short-weight cylinder is replaced on the spot.